NEW DELHI, Mar 5:
The Government today said essential commodities worth over Rs 229 crore-worth in 2012 for violating norms under the law that seeks to check hoarding and price rise.
The Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955 enables state governments to impose stock-holding limit on traders of essential items like pulses and edible oils, and to take effective action for undertaking de-hoarding operations.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister K V Thomas said over Rs 229 crore-worth of commodities was confiscated in 2012, much higher than Rs 71.64 crore in 2011.
As many as 1,28,852 raids were conducted, 4,022 persons were arrested, 3,256 were prosecuted and 423 were convicted during last year, according to the data provided by the Minister.
To a separate query on inspection of godowns of state-run Food Corporation of India in Allahabad, Thomas said disciplinary action has been taken against 15 officials in the current fiscal for shortages and damages to foodgrains, including unsafe storage.
To another question related to supply of poor quality foodgrains through ration shops, the Minister said that complaints were received from Puducherry, Maharashtra and Gujarat so far this year and in some cases it was not found true. (PTI)
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